Interventions to Reduce Perceived Stress Among Graduate Students: A Systematic Review With Implications for Evidence‐Based Practice

Stillwell, Susan B.; Vermeesch, Amber; Scott, Jane

doi:10.1111/wvn.12250

Cited by 82 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Discussion Evidence for the effectiveness of the mindfulness intervention was demonstrated through (a) the statistically significant differences between the intervention and control group's postintervention PSS and SSMS scores, (b) the statistically significant differences between the intervention group's before and after activity log ratings, and (c) the intervention group's qualitative data. Study findings support the growing body of literature demonstrating the effect of mindfulness programs to reduce student stress (Bamber & Schneider, 2016;Barbosa et al, 2013;Galante et al, 2018;Greeson et al, 2015;McConville et al, 2017;Stillwell et al, 2017). However, the study uniquely contributes to this literature, as it was the first to incorporate an array of physically active mindfulness activities beyond traditional forms of nonactive practices (e.g., sitting meditation, yogic breathing techniques, guided visualization, and body scanning for progressive muscle relaxation).…”

Section: (Participant 13)supporting

confidence: 64%

“…It is evident that health care graduate students need better resources and skills to manage the stress of their educational experience, skills that can then be used to navigate the health care environment to reduce burnout once students become practitioners. Although there is substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness training to reduce stress in college students, most reported programs involved traditional types of nonactive meditation processes, such as sitting meditation, yogic breathing techniques, guided visualization, and body scanning for progressive muscle relaxation (Spadaro & Hunker, 2016;Stillwell et al, 2017). While these practices form a central core in many meditation techniques, mindfulness meditation may also be used to engage in and maintain states of emotional equanimity during any activity (Wielgosz et al, 2019).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness of a Multimodal Mindfulness Program for Student Health Care Professionals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Gutman¹,

Sliwinski²,

Laird³

et al. 2020

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

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Background: The effectiveness of a multimodal mindfulness program incorporating traditional and nontraditional forms of active and nonactive meditation practices with a sample of occupational and physical therapy students was assessed in this study.Method: Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The 8-week mindfulness program consisted of one weekly 40-min in-person group session and four weekly 10-min online guided meditations. Pre and postintervention measures included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Student Stress Management Scale (SSMS), mindfulness activity log, open-ended qualitative questionnaire, GPA, and counseling visit frequency.Results: Statistically significant differences, with large effect sizes, were found between intervention and control group PSS (Z=-4.291, pd=-1.84) and SSMS (Z=-3.330, pd=-1.27) postintervention scores. Statistically significant differences, with large effect sizes, were found between intervention group pre and postmindfulness activity ratings for each week and all weeks combined (Z=-12.599, pd=1.29). Qualitative data revealed eight themes including greater sleep quality, energy levels, self-compassion, and life-work balance. No statistically significant differences were found between intervention and control group counseling visit frequency and GPA.Conclusion: As this is preliminary data about a novel intervention with a small student sample, effectiveness of this intervention should be further explored in a replication study. CommentsThe authors report that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Section: (Participant 13)supporting

confidence: 64%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of a Multimodal Mindfulness Program for Student Health Care Professionals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Gutman¹,

Sliwinski²,

Laird³

et al. 2020

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

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“…[42,43]. Stillwell considered pre-and postintervention effects in healthcare students in order to assess the immediate effects of MBSR techniques and other MBIs [44]. Again, the results were positive, with a decrease in perceived stress and anxiety.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yoga and Mindfulness as a Tool for Influencing Affectivity, Anxiety, Mental Health, and Stress among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Single-Arm Clinical Trial

Torre

Raffone

Peruzzo

et al. 2020

JCM

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Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as unique approaches for addressing a range of clinical and subclinical difficulties such as stress, chronic pain, anxiety, or recurrent depression. Moreover, there is strong evidence about the positive effects of yoga practice on stress management and prevention of burnout among healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to conduct a single-arm clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of an intervention based on mindfulness-based stress reduction and yoga in improving healthcare workers' quality of life. Healthcare workers of two hospitals in Rome were enrolled in a 4-week yoga and mindfulness course. Four questionnaires were administered at different times (Short Form-12 (SF-12), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Y1 and Y2, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)) to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. Forty participants took part to the study (83.3 %). The Mental Composite Score-12, that is part of the quality of life assessment, passed from a median of 43.5 preintervention to 48.1 postintervention (p = 0.041), and the negative affect passed from a score of 16 in the preintervention to 10 in the postintervention (p < 0.001). Both the forms of the STAI questionnaires showed a decrease after the intervention. Yoga and mindfulness administered together seem to be effective to reduce stress and anxiety in healthcare workers, providing them with more consciousness and ability to manage work stressful demands.anxiety, or recurrent depression [1-3]. Mindfulness can be described as a moment-to-moment awareness that is cultivated by purposefully paying attention to the present experience with a nonjudgmental attitude. It can be implemented through structured programs, including group and individual mental training, and is generally considered to entail the two core components of attention and acceptance [4]. More in details, mindfulness consists of formal meditation exercises (e.g., paying attention to the body, lying on the ground, or walking slowly with a sense of awareness of one's surroundings) as well as informal exercises (e.g., paying full attention to what one is doing or experiencing at a certain moment) [5]. Moreover, adaptive changes in brain functioning and structure (functional and neural plasticity) related to mindfulness training have been reported in several neuroscientific studies [6,7]. MBIs were initially developed for clinical contexts, but several studies have demonstrated that these interventions improve cognitive performance and emotional reactivity also in nonclinical populations [8,9]. Other studies have shown the effectiveness of MBIs for stress reduction and the enhancement of well-being within the workplace setting [10,11]. Finally, several cross-sectional studies provide indirect evidence that regular mindfulness practice may counteract cognitive ageing, which is indicated by preserved performance in various cognitive tasks as well as preserved neural tissue in older meditators compared to age-matched individuals [12,13]....

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Section: A Potentially Effective Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent literature review suggests that many of the approaches used for graduate students focus on emotion‐focused self‐care practices such as mindfulness, meditation, breathing, and yoga (Stillwell, Vermeesch, & Scott, 2017). There is evidence that they are effective at reducing stress (Stillwell et al, 2017). However, problem‐focused coping techniques also have been identified as effective in the workplace environment (e.g., Dewa, Loong, Bonato, & Joosen, 2015).…”

Section: A Potentially Effective Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introducing plant biology graduate students to a culture of mental well‐being

et al. 2020

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Currently, an estimated 20%–40% of graduate students have depression and anxiety. In addition, more than half report experiencing high chronic stress. Thus, organizations such as the Plant Science Research Network have highlighted the need to prioritize trainee well‐being. This has led to a search for strategies to introduce this cultural change into scientific training. However, for faculty who do not have experience with this topic area, there are few readily available resources from which to draw. In this paper, we describe how two graduate groups, one focused on plant biology and the other on genomics and genetics approached this challenge together by introducing a course on mental and emotional well‐being to their incoming first‐year graduate students. We describe the research on workplace mental and emotional well‐being and disability prevention which served as the basis for the course content. We review the course curriculum, student reflections about what they learned, and implications for future classes.

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Interventions to Reduce Perceived Stress Among Graduate Students: A Systematic Review With Implications for Evidence‐Based Practice

Abstract: Most effective self-care MBSR interventions include (a) a didactic component, (b) a guided MBSR practice session, and (c) homework. Consideration should be given to a trained or certified MBSR instructor to teach the intervention.

Cited by 82 publications

References 33 publications

Effectiveness of a Multimodal Mindfulness Program for Student Health Care Professionals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of a Multimodal Mindfulness Program for Student Health Care Professionals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yoga and Mindfulness as a Tool for Influencing Affectivity, Anxiety, Mental Health, and Stress among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Single-Arm Clinical Trial

Introducing plant biology graduate students to a culture of mental well‐being

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